Short answer: the Q Acoustics 3020i. It ranks #39 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $314.99; the Q Acoustics 5020 ranks #42 and costs $1199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Q Acoustics 3020i gets right: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. The catch: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot.
What the Q Acoustics 5020 offers: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Watch for: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Q Acoustics 5020 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Q Acoustics 5020. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3020i | Q Acoustics 5020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.99 | $1,199.00 |
| Ranked | #39 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex | rear-ported |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 Amazon
Pros: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Vertical directivity is good enough that the tweeter doesn’t need to be exactly at ear level. With EQ correction, especially high-frequency shelving and a sub-40Hz high-pass filter, Amir found performance “improves substantially.”
Cons: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot. Horizontal directivity is narrow and uneven due to a woofer/tweeter beamwidth mismatch. Amir cautions the speaker is “merely a distortion generator” if played too low, and its low impedance demands a quality amplifier. Without EQ, Amir “can’t recommend the Q Acoustics 3020i.”
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
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Q Acoustics 5020: $1,199.00 Amazon
Pros: Attractively finished compact standmount with a 5-inch Continuous Curved Cone woofer and carefully engineered cabinet details. Erin found distortion well controlled at normal levels: below 1% down to about 50Hz at 86dB/1m. Its 87dB measured sensitivity is unremarkable rather than hard to drive, and it maintains acceptable output for typical 80-85dB listening. The rear port can be plugged for placement flexibility.
Cons: Erin found the tonal balance distinctly too crisp, forward and treble-heavy: the top end is roughly 3-5dB elevated while the 1-3kHz region is recessed, so vocals change level unnaturally as they move through their range. The shallow woofer crossover and steeper tweeter slope contribute to the off-axis discontinuity, while the port has a strong 1kHz resonance. Bass is limited: Erin measured F3 103Hz and F10 48Hz; at 96dB distortion reaches about 3% by 100Hz, and he bottomed the woofer when pushed hard. He preferred the less-expensive 3020i’s linearity and did not recommend the 5020 for neutral listening without EQ.
Full Q Acoustics 5020 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.1"W x 11.5"D |
| Drivers | 5" (125mm) C3 mid/bass driver, 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 25W - 100W (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 87.9dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (15.4 lbs / 7.0kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | rear-ported |
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